Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Nepal

Nepal Earthquake | Magnitude 7.8 (April 2015) - Version 1, 27 April 2015

Attachments

Logistics and communications

Coordination: The Government of Nepal has activated the Logistics Cluster, which WFP is co-leading. Immediate priorities will be supporting search and rescue teams; transporting lifesaving medical equipment, items and personnel; and transporting emergency food, shelter and other non-food items.

Air transport: There are 47 airstrips countrywide, but only the one at Kathmandu airport can accommodate wide-bodied fixed-wing aircrafts. In view of the anticipated heavy congestion at the Kathmandu airport, WFP is working with the Government and the Humanitarian Coordination Team on a prioritisation mechanism for incoming flights/delivery of relief items. Assessments are also ongoing to identify other potential airstrips within the country. Jet A1 fuel (aircraft) is imported from India, so ensuring fuel pipeline is essential.
In the initial days, humanitarian operations will draw on the foreign military presence. The deployment of UNHAS will also be required, particularly helicopters to access remote mountainous areas,

Land and sea transport: Truck availability and capacity is normally good in Nepal. Access within the Kathmandu Valley appears to be fine, although accessing mountainous areas within the valley is reported to be impossible due to extensive damage. To ease the traffic flow into Kathmandu airport, WFP is exploring the use of road transport from India (e.g. Calcutta and Birganj). However, possible delays due to customs clearance at the border, as well as onwards transport within Nepal, might prove very challenging.

Warehouses: The recently completed WFP-government humanitarian staging area near Kathmandu airport is operational. In country, WFP has 32 mobile storage units incountry ready to deploy and establish as hubs in the affected areas.

IT and communications: VHF radio communication is working well. Although Nepal Telecom and Ncell mobile networks are working in most areas of Kathmandu, networks are congested and making calls is difficult. There is no power in the city area, meaning cellphone and computer batteries may soon run out.
Internet through local service providers is working. There is very little informa